TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's basketball will start their LSC slate 0-1 after a hard fought battle against Lubbock Christian ended in a 59-51 win for the Chaps.
 
The Patriots looked nothing short of dominant in the first 10 minutes of the contest as they opened up on a 21-5 run. Six different Patriots scored in the run, and Dontrell Hewlett dropped nine points as the Patriots got off to a blistering start. That first half battle would flip back in the Chaps favor to close out the half, as they went on a 14-4 run to cut the lead down to six heading into the break.
 
The Patriots shot 54.5% in that first half, going 12-for-22 from the field. They held Lubbock Christian to just 25% from the field and 21% from beyond the arc, both well below season averages for the Chaps.
 
The Chaps opened on a 7-2 run to cut the lead down to just one point to open the second half, and the two teams began trading buckets back and forth as neither side could grab an edge.
 
Both teams would trade three pointers that led to lead changes before the Patriots cashed in an Akok Machar jumper and a Mate Kapanadze jumper to take a slim two point lead with 11:49 remaining.
 
Another key run from the Chaps saw them take a five point lead with 5:18 remaining, but the Patriots stayed strong yet again, as Jesse Fuller and Hewlett each recorded a bucket to cut the lead back to one with three minutes left. The Chaps would do just enough down the stretch to keep the Patriots at bay, making four free throws in the final minute to take the win.
 
Dontrell Hewlett scored 17 points on 50% shooting and added in six rebounds and four assists. Akok Machar scored 10 points and also added five rebounds.
 
The Patriots now set their sights on Midwestern State on Friday night as they continue their LSC homestand inside the HPC.